Having read how many recorders agonize about killing specimens in order to ascertain the species beyond doubt, perhaps in some cases killing might not be necessary if we make greater use of video recording of species.

My Panasonic camera, can record video in ultra high definition. With it given a willing subject I can sometimes record it at many different angles: face on; side on and top (underside is not so easy). My software then allows me to 'freeze' any number of frames to produce still images. Just think how much easier identification could be given this technology.

Unfortunately, for those poor sould who have to do the identification video is an even worse medium. We then have to try to take screen shots and check charceters - adds greatly to out time and as shots are often blurred we stand no better chance of providing an ID.

Thank you for your comment Roger. On reflection, close up video is fiendishly difficult when specimens are moving - as live insects have the habit of doing. There is no magic bullet so perhaps it is wishful thinking but the challenge of taking enough video of a particular hoverfly, spider, bee sufficient to make a usable sequence keeps me outside for much longer than would otherwise be the case. So that is good enough reason to do it and the bonus comes when you are able to identify a specimen from it. I will keep trying.

Excuse me for adding to this conversation so late.
As a very amateur recorder I could never hope to get a moving picture of any insect! So, what I do is, if a hoverfly is happy to be caught in a jam jar, I then put my camera's lens right up against the top of the jar. This keeps the hoverfly in the jar and it is easy to focus on the area where the insect is. Then I put the jar on top of my recycling bin, which creates a nice neutral background. Not as artistic as getting a picture of the critter on a flower, but at least it is nothing like as horrible as killing it to take the photos.

Excuse me for adding to this conversation so late.
As a very amateur recorder I could never hope to get a moving picture of any insect! So, what I do is, if a hoverfly is happy to be caught in a jam jar, I then put my camera's lens right up against the top of the jar. .

Your method Angie seems to be safe but just as hard to get good shots and of course to capture and relocate a willing insect. You might perhaps try setting your camera to do burst shots which means taking multiple shots of the subject with one click. That way you can sometimes get both surprising and interesting results. This does however require time to select a few good ones and delete the rest.

Excuse me for adding to this conversation so late.
As a very amateur recorder I could never hope to get a moving picture of any insect! So, what I do is, if a hoverfly is happy to be caught in a jam jar, I then put my camera's lens right up against the top of the jar. .

Your method Angie seems to be safe but just as hard to get good shots and of course to capture and relocate a willing insect. You might perhaps try setting your camera to do burst shots which means taking multiple shots of the subject with one click. That way you can sometimes get both surprising and interesting results. Editing your list of photos afterwards does however require time to select a few good ones and delete the rest.

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